5 Questions with...Dan Patrick

5 Questions with...Dan Patrick

Want to know more about your favorite Chicago media celebrities? CSNChicago.com has your fix as we put the citys most popular personalities on the spot with everyones favorite local celeb feature entitled 5 Questions with...

On Wednesdays, exclusively on CSNChicago.com, its our turn to grill the local media and other local VIPs with five random sports and non-sports related questions that will definitely be of interest to old and new fans alike.

This weeks guestone of the biggest sports media personalities in the nationfor close to three decades, this standouts cool delivery and insightful interview style has made him a favorite go-to-guy for thousands of personalities in both the sports and entertainment fieldyou can catch him live on Comcast SportsNet every Monday-Friday morning from 8:00-11:00 AM and on NBC Sports Football Night in America every Sunday night during the NFL season simply put, hes one of the best in the business, here are 5 Questions withDAN PATRICK!

BIO: Dan Patrick is one of America's legendary sports journalists and a revered member of the national media industry. In 1989 Patrick started at ESPN. During his 18 years at ESPN, Patrick was most notably recognized for his many years as co-host of SportsCenter. In 1998, Patrick received a Sports Emmy Award in the Studio Host category. In 2000, Patrick was named the National Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, making him just the second cable commentator to receive the honor. In 2011, Patrick has once again been nominated for a Sports Emmy for the Outstanding Sports Personality Studio Host Category.

In 2007 Patrick left ESPN to pursue building his own independent brand. He began by recreating his radio show, distributed nationally through DirecTV Sports Networks. The radio show also runs on Fox Sports Radio Network. His weekday radio program can now be heard on over 260 affiliate stations.

Since August 3, 2009, the Dan Patrick Radio Show has been simulcast live on DIRECTVs Audience Network. DIRECTV is a world leading provider of digital television entertainment services and has over 17.6 million subscribers in the United States. As of October 2010, Dan has simulcasted his television show on to the Fox Sports Network Platform which puts him in over 90 million homes in the United States.

In addition to The Dan Patrick Show on Comcast SportsNet, Patrick can be seen on NBC's Football Night in America, was a key member of NBC Sports 2010 Winter Olympics broadcast team from Vancouver, and was a correspondent during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Additionally, Patrick is a Senior Writer for Sports Illustrated and writes a weekly column for Sports Illustrated magazine.

Patrick has a fully interactive website at www.danpatrick.com, with live blogging, videos, audio, and listener interaction. He has also created his very own digital fan loyalty program called Dan Nation that has over 90,000 members.

Patrick continues to build upon his independent brand by growing his distribution platforms in radio, TV, internet, magazines, and even movies but he isnt done yet. By continuing to innovate, Patrick will remain as one of the leading sports broadcasters and premium brands in the business.

1) CSNChicago.com: Dan, thanks for taking time out of your always-hectic schedule to join us for this edition of 5 Questions with Lets get right to it. With your show based out in the New England area, you are naturally familiar with Red Sox Nation and the GM tenure of Theo Epstein. With Epstein now officially running the baseball operations side in the Chicago Cubs front office, what immediate culture changes do you expect to occur at Wrigley Field from a front office perspective and, down the line, from an on-field perspective?

Patrick: Theo brings hope. Cubs fans saw what he and the Red Sox did over the last decade and have to think that he can do it again. Remember, there is no downside. Nobody really critiques big money free agents with the Cubs, even GMs, because whats the worst that could happen...you dont win the World Series. Thats all thats happened for every living Cub fan. Theo will up the temperature of the entire organization immediately and will not accept not making the playoffs. This is good news for Cubs fans.

2) CSNChicago.com: The Dan Patrick Show, which airs on Comcast SportsNet Chicago weekdays from 8:00-11:00 AM, is truly being enjoyed by Chicago TV viewers for your always-entertaining guests and insightful commentary. Since this is a live, morning production, take us briefly through your morning routine from the time you wake upto the time you sit in the host chair.

Patrick: Coffee! Then the Danettes and I meet in the mancave and talk things outtopicsguests. But one thing we do is we try not to talk too much on any one topic in the pre-show meeting. If we are hot on a topic or story, we put the brakes on and save the discussion for the show. You dont want to try to re-do what you just talked aboutwhat you see on air is natural and unscripted.

3) CSNChicago.com: Many people in the sports media industry look up to you as one of the best interviewers in the biz. Which media personalitypersonalities did you admire growing up that you felt were (and maybe still are) the gold standard in interviewing guests?

Patrick: I admire the ones that can smoothly handle a big, live eventJim McKayKeith JacksonBrent MusbergerBob Costas. Being the point man on the air at the Olympics, World Series or Super Bowl is a pressure gig and the best in the business keep things moving while surrounded by chaos.

4) CSNChicago.com: As host of NBC Sports Football Night in America, you know all about the dominance of the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers. Here in Chicago, fans are just hoping the Bears can make a return to the playoffs, especially since the Pack will likely lock up the NFL North title. Simple question, do the Bears have a shot to realistically make the playoffs?

Patrick: They do. They had a shot last year at the Super Bowl and, if Cutler stays upright in the NFC title game, who knows how that game ends. The blocking is improving for Cutler. Forte is the best all-around back in the game. If the receivers can up their game and they remain a run-first team, they can make the playoffs. That being said, Green Bay looks almost flawless so far, so it will be tough to get past them if they meet again in the playoffs.

5) CSNChicago.com: Its a pretty cool fact that youre good friends with box office superstar Adam Sandler, as you appeared in numerous Sandler films over the years (including the upcoming Jack and Jill opening up on November 11). Weve got to knowany chance DP goes Hollywood full-time to pursue a career in acting?...and -- outside of Peter Krause (who did a fine job mimicking you on Sports Night years ago) -- which actor would you like to see portray your life story on film?

Patrick: Wow, now we are talking. I heard they may make an ESPN movie a la The Social Network. Id be good with Jason Bateman playing me in the 90s. Hes snarky and you have to respect his hairI do.

Five Things from Blackhawks-Rangers: Duels and denied goals

Five Things from Blackhawks-Rangers: Duels and denied goals

There are a lot of similarities between the Blackhawks and the New York Rangers. Both have a nice record to start this season and both are getting through recent injuries as best they can.

And thanks to their goaltending, they had a pretty fun little battle on Friday night.

Antti Raanta edged Scott Darling as the Rangers took a 1-0 overtime victory over the Blackhawks on Friday. It was surprising that Raanta got the start, only because he had started for the Rangers on Thursday against Winnipeg. But he’s been hot, he’s good at the United Center in his career and obviously it was the right decision.

The Blackhawks are back at it on Sunday against another team going through its injury issues, the Dallas Stars. Before then, however, let’s look at the Five Things to take from the Blackhawks’ overtime loss to the Rangers.

1. A familiar goalie duel. Two seasons ago Scott Darling and Antti Raanta were fighting for the Blackhawks’ backup goaltending spot. So it seemed fitting that they face each other on Friday night. They didn’t disappoint. Each goaltender had his share of stellar stops, many coming in the second period as each team looked for an edge. Raanta got the victory, running his record at the United Center to 15-0-3. The two had a quick, good-natured talk at the end of the game. “It was all friendly,” Darling said. “We were just saying, ‘good job’ and we’re happy for one another.”

2. Kane alright. Patrick Kane got the concussion protocol call in the second period a few moments after he was hit into the glass by Nick Holden. After Kane was called for high-sticking he was sent to the locker room, returning as the Blackhawks went on their first power play of the night at 17:28 of the second period.

3. The Rangers’ successful challenge. Just when you thought the Blackhawks were taking a 1-0 lead the third period (Marian Hossa), the Rangers challenged for offside. They won, nullifying Hossa’s attempt at his 15th goal of the season. Hossa was disappointed, and is frustrated at how some of the rule changes are taking away goals when the league is trying to increase scoring. Coach Joel Quenneville, when asked if he’d like the rule changed if he could, laughed. “Right now? Sure.”

4. A better all-around game. We may be harping on the Blackhawks’ injury situation but when you’re missing three key guys (Jonathan Toews, Brent Seabrook and Corey Crawford) it’s going to alter your game. But the Blackhawks played a strong all-around game against the Rangers and had some good scoring chances. All things considered, and against a very good Rangers team, Quenneville liked what he saw. “We know they’re a dangerous team off the rush, a lot of guys can make plays, a ton of speed. You have to respect that in ways and they check well in their own end,” Quenneville said. “I thought we did some good things. I think on the rush game we did a good job of taking away that danger.”

5. When will the Blackhawks return to health? Yeah, we’re looking ahead a little bit on this one, and we may have a clearer picture by Saturday morning. If Toews and Seabrook are skating and come out of the session well, there’s a chance they could play on Sunday. The Blackhawks have done alright despite the injuries. But you have to wonder when they start feeling a bit depleted.

Rangers win riveting goaltending duel over Blackhawks in overtime

Rangers win riveting goaltending duel over Blackhawks in overtime

When Scott Darling and Antti Raanta vied for the Blackhawks’ backup goaltending job two seasons ago, there was definitely a strong competition. But it was still one built on respect.

“We had no bad blood in that situation,” Darling said on Friday. “We’ve remained friends. He’s having a great season and I’m happy for him.”

On this night, Raanta may have been just a bit happier.

Raanta stopped all 26 shots he saw against his former team, notching his first shutout of this season, and Nick Holden gave the New York Rangers a 1-0 overtime victory over the Blackhawks on Friday night. The Blackhawks are 1-2-1 in their last four games but remain atop the Western Conference with 38 points.

The Blackhawks were missing Jonathan Toews, Brent Seabrook and Corey Crawford in this one. Nevertheless, it was a tight game, one in which both goaltenders were stellar. Darling stopped 36 of 37 shots – Holden’s overtime winner was the first goaltender allowed to New York in two games against them.

“With or without Toews, you’re always thinking when it’s in the third period and it’s close and getting inside 10 minutes, let’s get it to overtime,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “We’ve seen a ton of overtimes in the league. You gotta get the one point. We’ve had some success trying to get the extra one. Tonight, not, but that’s got to be the mindset.”

The Blackhawks were close to taking the 1-0 lead six minutes into the third period, when Marian Hossa thought he scored his 15th goal of the season. But the Rangers challenged for offside. Upon further review, the goal was nullified.

“Well, obviously that’s a tough one,” Hossa said. “I mean, I didn’t notice it was close to offside but obviously with today’s technology, with this new rule, it’s a game of inches. It’s slowing the game down, I think. You’re getting confused, what exactly the coaches are looking for. They created this new rule and we just have to deal with it. But sometimes it’s more frustrating because the league wants to increase the scoring and right now, I think more goals are disallowed because of this.”

Hartman, who had the pass to Hossa, was also disappointed but agreed with the review’s ruling.

“You get your excitement up a little bit and you try not to get too ahead of yourself when you know they are reviewing it. You just try to see it as both ways, if they do call it a goal, if they call it back,” Hartman said. “Obviously it was the right call. It was just a tough one.”

The Blackhawks will take the point out of this one. Despite the players they were without they played a solid game. They had good, quality scoring chances. Their current backup was just slightly bested by their previous one.

“Both [goalies] were great, both [teams] had excellent looks at the net,” Quenneville said. “We missed some good opportunities on 2-on-1s and they had some good looks around Darling as well. Both guys got their teams to overtime, got a point. It’s a good point if you want to look at it like that. I didn’t mind the way we played but Darls was excellent.”